Jumping off the pier at Cobourg harbour could be outlawed

Cobourg considers fines for this summer

CobourgVictoriaHall

COBOURG -- What might be a summer tradition for residents and tourists of Cobourg has now been deemed dangerous.

A proposed addition to a bylaw which already prohibits diving and jumping off the lighthouse would forbid doing so on the east pier as well.

Water levels are such that rocks and cement have been exposed in the area and it has become a risk factor, said Councillor Larry Sherwin during Cobourg's Feb. 25 committee of the whole meeting.

"We had three situations last year that the lifeguards had to run out to the east pier and pull people from the water to save their lives," he said.

The bylaw, which will be before council March 4 for consideration, would involve signs and a fine, not yet determined, to be in place by summer and enforced by police and bylaw officers.

Councillor Miriam Mutton suggested creating a safe spot rather than eliminating something that is tradition, which she said is "far too easy."

"These are wonderful things for young people, but we have a liability situation we can't turn our backs on," said Deputy Mayor Stan Frost.

In an interview following the meeting, Coun. Sherwin urged people to come forward if they have ideas that can be easily implemented, such as a floating platform or other alternative such as Coun. Mutton suggested.

"But right now, we have no alternative but to do what we're doing to protect lives and the Town," said Coun. Sherwin. "Truthfully, a lot of it (jumping at the pier) is staged. It's a photo op that goes on every year."